What Dogs Have Taught Me

This episode is a deep dive into the science behind your dog’s behavior—one that can genuinely change how you understand your dog. In this conversation, my guest Kristen Clarkson and I explore how the nervous system drives decision-making in dogs, why all living beings are motivated to maintain homeostasis, and what that really means for behavior. We unpack how dogs experience the world internally...

In this episode, we take a closer look at some surprising trends circulating in the dog training world on social media. Are trainers really wearing bite suits to evaluate everyday pet dogs? Can flirt poles and tug toys the only way to meet a dog's activity needs? And why do e-collars seem to be recommended for nearly every dog problem? Join me for a thoughtful conversation with veteran dog trainer...

Today's conversation is a powerful one, featuring two industry leaders in canine behavior, Julie Hart and Nelson Hodges. In this episode, we explore a misunderstood population, fearful and feral dogs. We unravel misconceptions, diving deep into what a fearful/ feral dog is, how they differ, and what they need from their human companions. Please join us to learn about this area of dog rehabilitatio...

Suggestions on how to avoid the most common mistakes made with fearful & feral dogs, and what to do instead by feral/fearful dog rehabilitator, Julie Hart.

Robyn Carlson, of Kudos 2 Canines in Salt Lake City, shares years of insight and wisdom from running a highly successful dog training facility while balancing a family life and dog rescue work. Robyn talks about her journey of listening to her rescue heart and trainer brain to find the right balance. Her business website is www. Kudos2Canines.com

Get the inside scoop from the participants of the first-ever Feral Dog Immersion Program. Hear their experiences, what surprised them, and what they learned that will make a difference in the lives of the four dogs who were with us in the program, and help them with all other dogs too. The dogs that participated got a super experience that propelled them towards becoming dogs with a human companio...

If you ever wanted to be a fly on the wall listening to two great minds discuss dogs and Pit Bulls in particular, then you are in luck. My guest, Diane Jessup, is an author and a legend and author in the world of pit bulls and titling dogs. Her dog Dread had the most titles of any dog of any breed. She competed in many dog sports when not doing her day job as an animal control officer. Diane's sha...

What can we learn and observe from wolves that may teach us about our dogs? In this episode I interview Dr. Nathan Varley, co-founder of Yellowstone Wolftracker. Nathan has studied wildlife for his entire life, and specifically was invovled in the reintroduction of wolves into Yellowstone National Park. Learn what insights he has that relate to wolves and our semi-domesticated little wolves that l...

Hear real examples and case studies of the dogs that Phyllis and I have trained, illustrating the principle that sometimes less is more. One case is how Phyllis took a dog aggressive pit bull and taught her to live with her pack of dogs. We emphasize the importance of keeping things simple. We start with the foundational elements, which are often rushed when training dogs. We analyze whether a dog...

In this engaging and insightful conversation with fearful and feral dog expert, Julie Hart, we explore the nuances of working with fearful and feral dogs. Julie shares her journey, beginning with her early experiences fostering dogs and how she transitioned into specializing in canine rehabilitation. She emphasizes the importance of recognizing a dog’s innate ability to adapt and learn through nat...

The reason we make dogs sit is usually to gain control over them and help them calm down. But does this method actually work, and are there better alternatives? Which dogs succeed with sitting as a calming technique, and why? Also, are there any dogs that should not be asked to sit? Sitting is offered as a natural behavior by dogs for many reasons such as watching, waiting, and submission or acqui...

I am so lucky that my guest today moved to Santa Fe, New Mexico last year and now I get to hang out with her on a regular basis. Kelly Engel had years of involvement with dog shows, rescue, and animal control before opening her business, Know Thy Dog in Montana. Her facility offered real-world lifestyle training and behavior counseling. Kelly excelled at helping challenging dogs live more fulfilli...

Martha Hoffman shares her depth of knowledge and insights about dog temperament, especially when evaluating for hearing dogs, dog behavior, and observations from living in Bali and observing the Bali Heritage Dogs. This one is not to be missed! To learn more from Martha: Her book is Lend Me an Ear: Temperament, Selection and Training of the Hearing Ear Dog Martha's Patreon is https://www.patreon.c...

Anyone that has trained dogs and their people for over 40 years has to have lots of wisdom for us newbies and dog owners. Trish Wamsat of Homeschooled Hounds in California shares her successful mindset, training programs, and what she learned by working at a veternarian's office for over 15 years. Trish and I also talk about challenges of navigating an "always and never" dog training mentality and...

Renowned Attuned Horseman Warwick Schiller shares many insights about energy and attunement with animals and about his Principles of Training. Even though his book is about horses, it is so relevant to our relationship with our dogs, nature and each other. Join me for a Hart to Heart about the best info about dogs that is about horses, and life in general. I highly recommend Warwicks's book "Princ...

Nelson Hodges joins me for part 2 of his interview where we discuss the depth of the Canine Human Relationship Institute courses and how changing perspectives can help us help dogs live better lives with humans.

Nelson Hodges joins me to talk dog behavior, his beginnings with Pato the Aggressive Duck, and how nursery rhymes have affected our views of our dogs close relative, the wolf. Nelson has been rehabilitating and training severe case dogs for over 40 years.

It takes a special kind of person to stay in dog rescue for 20+ years. My guest Lanya Androlewicz is a unique combination of compassion, stability, honesty and realism that has allowed her to not turn a blind eye to dogs in need. Listen in while we talk about our ethics of dog rescue, how we stay sane, spay neuter from a rescue standpoint, how we run the rescue People's Anti-Cruelty Association, a...

LIMA (Least Intrusive Minimally Aversive) is a popular phrase describing a methodology and approach to dog training. Valerie Ann Erwin and I discuss LIMA & Cynopraxis dog training, what we learned by being in a LIMA workgroup, and how we are applying what we have learned from Mr Lindsay's books.

The challenges of running a rural shelter in New Mexico has not stopped Bea Gallegos, manager of the Las Vegas Animal Care Center in Las Vegas, New Mexico. Bea is intent on giving the dogs and cats in her care the best she can, but this is not always easy. Bea has also developed a method for rehabilitating feral dogs, which makes up about 10% of her shelter's population. Bea and her staff consiste...

Trust is something I had to learn how to build by working with fearful and feral dogs. But building trust helps relationships and behavior concerns with ALL dogs. When we build trust with our dogs, we become partners and more relevant to them. This makes everything else we do with our dogs easier. To learn about my course offerings in how to build trust with your dogs, please visit www.fearfuldogh...

Many times limitations put on us by others, ourselves, or training methodologies get in the way of connecting or making progress with our dogs. Meet my Dad, Kerry Brock, and learn how he turned limitations into opportunities during his lifetime to overcome poverty in a coal mining camp and reach his goals, so perhaps others can turn some limitations into opportunities.

Does knowing how and when to use food to train dogs confuse you or your dog? My guest, Jason Cohen, explains his ideas and techniques to create a happy & calm dog in a very busy environment, his hometown of Brooklyn, New York. We take a detailed look at how & when Jason will use food to help dogs progress in their training. There are many important details to how Jason trains, including pairing th...

Dogs are experts at negotiating relationships. Join my friend Angela Leuck and I as we talk about how dogs have taught us better relationship skills from experiences in rescue, with clients, with setting boundaries, and hearing the truth from our dogs. Angela has her own training business in northern Virginia, Anythings Pawsbull, and also works as a certified instructor and admin at Canine Human R...

"What Dogs Have Taught Me" is the new name of my podcast. This name represents the importance of dogs in our lives and what they can teach us, and what they have taught me the past 14 years. This episode will focus on the lessons and guidance I have learned from dogs. In future podcasts, I will ask my colleagues and friends to join me to share their take on how dogs can teach us and what we can le...